Patents by Inventor Darren C. Minifie

Darren C. Minifie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230376266
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an computer system detects objects, such as physical objects in the physical environment of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the computer system presents indications of characteristics of the physical objects. In some embodiments, the physical objects are entry points to physical locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher B. FLEIZACH, Allison LETTIERE, Cole A. GLEASON, Darren C. MINIFIE, Nandini KANNAMANGALAM SUNDARA RAMAN, Ryan N. DOUR
  • Patent number: 11696017
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces and techniques for managing audible descriptions for visual media. In some embodiments, the user interfaces and techniques provide different audible descriptions for a portion of a representation of the media, where one audible description is provided before the portion of the representation of the media has been changed and the different audible description is provided after the portion of the representation of media has been changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Darren C. Minifie, Grant P. Maloney, Nandini Kannamangalam Sundara Raman
  • Patent number: 11588969
    Abstract: An electronic device obtains one or more images of a scene, and displays a preview of the scene. If the electronic device meets levelness criteria, the electronic device provides a first audible and/or tactile output indicating that the camera is obtaining level images of the scene. In some embodiments, the electronic device detects, using one or more sensors, an orientation of a first axis of the electronic device relative to a respective vector, and the levelness criteria include a criterion that is met when the first axis of the electronic device moves within a predefined range of the respective vector. In some embodiments, if the orientation of the first axis of the electronic device moves outside of the predefined range of the respective vector, a second audible and/or tactile output, indicating that the camera is not obtaining level images of the scene, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Eryn R. Wells, Nandini Kannamangalam Sundara Raman
  • Publication number: 20230047300
    Abstract: An electronic device with a camera obtains, with the camera, one or more images of a scene. The electronic device detects a respective feature within the scene. In accordance with a determination that a first mode is active on the device, the electronic device provides a first audible description of the scene. The first audible description provides information indicating a size and/or position of the respective feature relative to a first set of divisions applied to the one or more images of the scene. In accordance with a determination that the first mode is not active on the device, the electronic device provides a second audible description of the plurality of objects. The second audible description is distinct from the first audible description and does not include the information indicating the size and/or position of the respective feature relative to the first set of divisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Eryn R. Wells, Nandini Kannamangalam Sundara Raman
  • Publication number: 20210281746
    Abstract: An electronic device obtains one or more images of a scene, and displays a preview of the scene. If the electronic device meets levelness criteria, the electronic device provides a first audible and/or tactile output indicating that the camera is obtaining level images of the scene. In some embodiments, the electronic device detects, using one or more sensors, an orientation of a first axis of the electronic device relative to a respective vector, and the levelness criteria include a criterion that is met when the first axis of the electronic device moves within a predefined range of the respective vector. In some embodiments, if the orientation of the first axis of the electronic device moves outside of the predefined range of the respective vector, a second audible and/or tactile output, indicating that the camera is not obtaining level images of the scene, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Eryn R. Wells, Nandini Kannamangalam Sundara Raman
  • Patent number: 11036372
    Abstract: Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Clare Kasemset, Samuel White, Darren C. Minifie, Ian Fisch, Gregory F. Hughes, Justin Kaufman, Patti P. Hoa
  • Patent number: 11025815
    Abstract: An electronic device obtains one or more images of a scene. After obtaining the one or more images of the scene, the electronic device detects a plurality of objects within the scene, provides a first audible description of the scene, and detects a user input that selects a respective object of the plurality of objects within the scene. The first audible description of the scene provides information corresponding to the plurality of objects as a group. In response to the user input selecting the respective object within the scene, the electronic device provides a second audible description of the respective object. The second audible description is distinct from the first audible description and includes a description of one or more characteristics specific to the respective object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Eryn R. Wells, Nandini Kannamangalam Sundara Raman
  • Patent number: 10628025
    Abstract: An electronic device in communication with a haptic feedback device that includes a touch-sensitive surface sends instructions to the haptic display to display a document with multiple characters. A respective character is displayed at a respective character size. While the haptic display is displaying the document, the device receives an input that corresponds to a finger contact at a first location on the haptic display. In response to receiving the input, the device associates a first cursor position with the first location, determines a first character in the plurality of characters adjacent to the first cursor position, and sends instructions to the haptic display to output a Braille character, at the first location, that corresponds to the first character. A respective Braille character is output on the haptic display at a respective Braille character size that is larger than the corresponding displayed character size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. White, Darren C. Minifie, Christopher B. Fleizach
  • Publication number: 20200117346
    Abstract: Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher FLEIZACH, Eric T. SEYMOUR, Clare KASEMSET, Samuel WHITE, Darren C. MINIFIE, Ian FISCH, Gregory F. HUGHES, Justin KAUFMAN, Patti P. HOA
  • Publication number: 20200106955
    Abstract: An electronic device obtains one or more images of a scene. After obtaining the one or more images of the scene, the electronic device detects a plurality of objects within the scene, provides a first audible description of the scene, and detects a user input that selects a respective object of the plurality of objects within the scene. The first audible description of the scene provides information corresponding to the plurality of objects as a group. In response to the user input selecting the respective object within the scene, the electronic device provides a second audible description of the respective object. The second audible description is distinct from the first audible description and includes a description of one or more characteristics specific to the respective object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Eryn R. Wells, Nandini Kannamangalam Sundara Raman
  • Patent number: 10540071
    Abstract: An electronic device displays a first user interface including user interface objects. While displaying the first user interface, the device detects a first input on the touch-sensitive surface. In response, if the first input is detected at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a first user interface object of the first user interface and that the first input satisfies first input intensity criteria, the device performs a first operation, including displaying a zoomed-in view of at least a first portion of the first user interface; and, if the first input is detected at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the first user interface object of the first user interface and that the first input does not satisfy first input intensity criteria, the device performs a second operation that is distinct from the first operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Everitt, Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Gregory F. Hughes, Woo-Ram Lee
  • Patent number: 10509549
    Abstract: Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Clare Kasemset, Samuel White, Darren C. Minifie, Ian Fisch, Gregory F. Hughes, Justin Kaufman, Patti P. Hoa
  • Patent number: 10275436
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display showing a user interface (UI) automatically adjusts the zoom level of a magnification region. The electronic device receives a request to magnify at least a portion of the display showing the UI. The electronic device determines the context that the electronic device was operating in at the time of the magnification request. The context is comprised of display parameters, environmental parameters, or both. The electronic device displays the UI at a zoom level determined based on user preferences. Upon detecting a text input condition, the device resizes and optionally moves the magnification region so that the resized magnification region does not overlap with the newly displayed composition interface window. The device uses an auto-snap feature when the content within the magnification region displays a second boundary upon scrolling the content within the magnification region from a first boundary opposite the second one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Everitt, Christopher Brian Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Eric T. Seymour, Gregory F. Hughes
  • Patent number: 10013162
    Abstract: While an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface is in a screen reader accessibility mode, the device displays a character input area and a keyboard, the keyboard including a plurality of key icons. The device detects a sequence of one or more gestures on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more characters. A respective gesture of the one or more gestures that corresponds to a respective character is a single finger gesture that moves across the touch-sensitive surface along a respective path that corresponds to the respective character. The respective path traverses one or more locations on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more key icons of the plurality of key icons without activating the one or more key icons. In response to detecting the respective gesture, the device enters the corresponding respective character in the character input area of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Gregory F. Hughes, Ryan N. Dour, Ian M. Fisch, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Michael M. Pedersen, II, Eric T. Seymour, Devang K. Naik, Ryan S. Dixon
  • Patent number: 9965141
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and user interfaces enable users identify a user-selected location of a user interface with reduced movement and motor effort. A first selection indicator is overlaid on the user interface and moved in a first direction. Responsive to receiving a first user input to stop movement of the first selection indicator, movement of the first selection indicator is ceased over a first location of the user interface. A second selection indicator is overlaid on the user interface and the second selection indicator is moved in a second direction. Responsive to receiving a second user input to stop movement of the second selection indicator, movement of the second selection indicator is ceased over a second location of the user interface. The user-selected location of the user interface is selected based at least in part on the first and the second locations of the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Hughes, Christopher Brian Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Darren C. Minifie, Patti Pei-Chin Hoa
  • Publication number: 20180039395
    Abstract: Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher FLEIZACH, Eric T. SEYMOUR, Clare KASEMSET, Samuel WHITE, Darren C. MINIFIE, Ian FISCH, Gregory F. HUGHES, Justin KAUFMAN, Patti P. HOA
  • Patent number: 9792013
    Abstract: Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fleizach, Eric T. Seymour, Clare Kasemset, Samuel White, Darren C. Minifie, Ian Fisch, Gregory F. Hughes, Justin Kaufman, Patti P. Hoa
  • Publication number: 20170185285
    Abstract: While an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface is in a screen reader accessibility mode, the device displays a character input area and a keyboard, the keyboard including a plurality of key icons. The device detects a sequence of one or more gestures on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more characters. A respective gesture of the one or more gestures that corresponds to a respective character is a single finger gesture that moves across the touch-sensitive surface along a respective path that corresponds to the respective character. The respective path traverses one or more locations on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more key icons of the plurality of key icons without activating the one or more key icons. In response to detecting the respective gesture, the device enters the corresponding respective character in the character input area of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher B. FLEIZACH, Darren C. MINIFIE, Gregory F. HUGHES, Ryan N. DOUR, Ian M. FISCH, Joel M. LOPES DA SILVA, Michael M. PEDERSEN, II, Eric T. SEYMOUR, Devang K. NAIK, Ryan S. DIXON
  • Patent number: 9633191
    Abstract: While an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface is in a screen reader accessibility mode, the device displays an application launcher screen including a plurality of application icons. A respective application icon corresponds to a respective application stored in the device. The device detects a sequence of one or more gestures on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to one or more characters. A respective gesture that corresponds to a respective character is a single finger gesture that moves across the touch-sensitive surface along a respective path that corresponds to the respective character. The device determines whether the detected sequence of one or more gestures corresponds to a respective application icon of the plurality of application icons, and, in response to determining that the detected sequence of one or more gestures corresponds to the respective application icon, performs a predefined operation associated with the respective application icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Gregory F. Hughes, Ryan N. Dour, Ian M. Fisch, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Michael M. Pedersen, II, Eric T. Seymour, Devang K. Naik, Ryan S. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20170068425
    Abstract: An electronic device displays a first user interface including user interface objects. While displaying the first user interface, the device detects a first input on the touch-sensitive surface. In response, if the first input is detected at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a first user interface object of the first user interface and that the first input satisfies first input intensity criteria, the device performs a first operation, including displaying a zoomed-in view of at least a first portion of the first user interface; and, if the first input is detected at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the first user interface object of the first user interface and that the first input does not satisfy first input intensity criteria, the device performs a second operation that is distinct from the first operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron M. Everitt, Christopher B. Fleizach, Darren C. Minifie, Gregory F. Hughes, Woo-Ram Lee